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Science 11 February 2005:
Vol. 307. no. 5711, pp. 922 - 925
DOI: 10.1126/science.1104444
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Reports

Glycolipids as Receptors for Bacillus thuringiensis Crystal Toxin

Joel S. Griffitts,1 Stuart M. Haslam,2 Tinglu Yang,3 Stephan F. Garczynski,4 Barbara Mulloy,5 Howard Morris,6 Paul S. Cremer,3 Anne Dell,2 Michael J. Adang,4 Raffi V. Aroian1*

The development of pest resistance threatens the effectiveness of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins used in transgenic and organic farming. Here, we demonstrate that (i) the major mechanism for Bt toxin resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans entails a loss of glycolipid carbohydrates; (ii) Bt toxin directly and specifically binds glycolipids; and (iii) this binding is carbohydrate-dependent and relevant for toxin action in vivo. These carbohydrates contain the arthroseries core conserved in insects and nematodes but lacking in vertebrates. We present evidence that insect glycolipids are also receptors for Bt toxin.

1 Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093–0349, USA.
2 Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
3 Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
4 Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602–2603, USA.
5 Laboratory for Molecular Structure, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK.
6 M-SCAN Mass Spectrometry Research and Training Centre, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PZ, UK.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: raroian{at}ucsd.edu

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